SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In a notable achievement for U.S. immigration law, Kristina Pimenova, age 10, has become one of the youngest persons to obtain a United States O-1 work visa for extraordinary ability in modeling. Her case was handled by top U.S. immigration attorney, Bernard P. Wolfsdorf, who has an impressive record of winning complex immigration matters, including unusual visa petitions like Kristina's.

O-1 visas are available to applicants of "extraordinary ability" in the fields of sciences, arts, education, business or athletics. Every year, thousands of top models take advantage of this visa category, submitting portfolios of glossy magazine editorials, advertising campaigns, and runway photographs to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Pursuant to U.S. immigration laws, O-1 candidates must demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim in their field in order to qualify for this coveted visa.

It is therefore telling of her skill, that Kristina Pimenova from Russia has been granted an O-1 work visa at the modest age of 10, allowing her to work for the prestigious modeling agency, L.A. Models, Inc. Mr. Wolfsdorf successfully argued that while Kristina is still just a child, she has already established international acclaim as "the most beautiful girl in the world." He also pointed to Kristina's millions of Facebook and Instagram followers as well as her remarkable portfolio of international campaigns for Armani Junior, Fendi, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Benetton, Roberto Cavalli, Blumarine, Vogue, and Elle, among others.

Kristina's successful O-1 visa petition is a major step forward for U.S. immigration law. Mr. Wolfsdorf comments, "While U.S. immigration law may be broken, Kristina's case shows the U.S. government has a broad and positive view and is willing to grant U.S. work authorization to foreign children with exceptional qualifications." Kristina's O-1 petition also highlights the innovative legal work that has earned Mr. Wolfsdorf impressive national positions and awards, including past national President of the 14,000-member American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and six consecutive "Lawyer of the Year" awards from Who's Who Legal. Kristina's O-1 approval is yet another major accomplishment that places Mr. Wolfsdorf and his firm, Wolfsdorf Rosenthal LLP, at the cutting-edge of U.S. immigration law.